This Week on Broadway – Lithgow Returns / 01.08.18

Opening this Week:

Two-time Tony winner and Oscar nominee John Lithgow returns to Broadway theater in a solo show that traces his roots as an actor and storyteller, working classic short stories by P. G. Wodehouse and and Ring Lardner – read to him as a child – into his own narrative.

New Play The Minutes Delays Broadway Run

Pulitzer and Tony winner Tracy Letts’ new political comedy The Minutes, now playing Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre Company, has delayed its arrival on Broadway. The play was set to transfer to a yet-to-be-announced theatre on Broadway in spring 2018 following its world premiere in Chicago. Broadway previews had been scheduled to begin February 6, 2018, with an opening night set for March 8. Tony winner Anna D. Shapiro, who collaborated with Letts on Broadway hit August: Osage County, is at the helm of The Minutes. The comedy centers on a town council meeting that uncovers the truth behind the town’s history. More details here.

Casting Directors Ready Response to Broadway League Suit

Seven Broadway casting offices have until January 22 to respond to allegations of violating antitrust laws as the lawsuit filed against them by The Broadway League proceeds. The allegation comes as the League claims that seven casting offices have banded together to raise their fees and have refused to work with producers who do not pay them. The League has said that this boycott is hurting Broadway producers, but a lawyer for the casting directors, who have been seeking union recognition from the League, contends that there is no boycott. In the original complaint, filed December 5, the League alleged that seven casting offices have violated antitrust laws by collectively adding a 29% fee increase to go toward pension and healthcare funds and boycotting producers who would not pay them. The suit stems from the fact that casting offices say that they are employees of the show and entitled to benefits and collective bargaining negotiated by their union, while the League says they are independent contractors and thus will not recognize their union. More details here.